Method for preparing GOS having reduced allergenicity

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of nutritional ingredients, in particular to methods for producing hypoallergenic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and the use thereof in food and drink items. Provided is the use of a beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) derived from Cryptococcus terrestris (recently renamed Papiliotrema terrestris ) in the production of a hypoallergenic GOS preparation having a reduced capacity to induce an allergic response in a subject.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of at least partially preventing an allergic response to a galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) preparation in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a hypoallergenic GOS preparation obtained by transgalactosylation of lactose using a  Cryptococcus terrestris  beta-galactosidase having EC 3.2.1.23, wherein the subject is known to suffer from or has hypersensitivity to a GOS preparation obtained by transgalactosylation of lactose using a  Bacillus circulans  beta-galactosidase. 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Cryptococcus terrestris  beta-galactosidase is from  Cryptococcus terrestris  strain MM13-F2171 having National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) Accession Number BP-02177 or  Cryptococcus terrestris  strain APC-6431 having NITE Accession Number BP-02178. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Cryptococcus terrestris  beta-galactosidase comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3 or 4, or an amino acid sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3 or 4. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hypoallergenic GOS preparation has a decreased score in a Skin Prick Test in the subject and/or in a Basophil Activation Test performed on a blood sample isolated from the subject when compared to a GOS preparation obtained by transgalactosylation of lactose using a  Bacillus circulans  beta-galactosidase. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is of South East Asian origin. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is an adult, an adolescent, or a child.